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NMSU engineering appoints heads of department, research

Two engineering professors have been appointed to top posts in the New Mexico State University College of Engineering. Richard Hills is now the associate dean for research and the director of the college's Engineering Research Center. Edward Pines has been selected to head the department of industrial engineering.

Richard Hills has been named associate dean for research for NMSU's College of Engineering. He will direct the college's Engineering Research Center. (NMSU photo by Meghann Dallin)

Hills joined the mechanical engineering faculty at NMSU in 1981, and served as acting department head and department head from 1994-97. His industrial experience includes nuclear reactor containment modeling at the Idaho Nuclear Engineering Laboratory and geophysical research at Sandia National Laboratories.

A long-time resident of Las Cruces, Hills earned his bachelor's degree from NMSU in 1972, his master's degree from Purdue University in 1974 and his doctorate from NMSU in 1979, all in mechanical engineering.

He is an active researcher, with more than 100 technical publications, presentations and patents related to flow and transport in natural and engineered systems. He is currently developing methodology to validate computer models for use in critical engineering applications.

"While department head of mechanical engineering, Dr. Hills demonstrated outstanding ability in managing a large, complex department with a combined teaching and research budget over $4 million," said Jay B. Jordan, dean of engineering at NMSU. "The College of Engineering Research Center is responsible for approximately $20 million in research expenditures annually. As director of the research center and associate dean for research, Dr. Hills' conservative approach to fiscal management should serve the college well."

Pines joined NMSU in January 1994 as an assistant professor of industrial engineering. He teaches classes and conducts research in the areas of quality and manufacturing.

Prior to starting doctoral studies in 1990, he worked for more than 10 years in the aerospace and computer manufacturing industries as an industrial engineer, systems analyst and project manager.

He earned his bachelor's degree in systems planning and management in 1979 from Stevens Institute of Technology. He earned his master's degree in 1982 and his doctorate in 1994, both in industrial engineering from Penn State University.

In 1997 he received the NMSU Donald C. Roush Excellence in Teaching Award.

"Dr. Pines is consistently named among the top teachers in engineering," Jordan said. "His combination of industrial experience and proven academic excellence make him uniquely qualified to lead our dynamic industrial engineering program."

PHOTO: richard_hills.jpg
CUTLINE: Richard Hills has been named associate dean for research for NMSU's College of Engineering. He will direct the college's Engineering Research Center. (NMSU photo by Meghann Dallin)

PHOTO: edward_pines.jpg
CUTLINE: Edward Pines is the new department head of industrial engineering at New Mexico State University.